Rock Properties

Published on March 12 2011

Several textbook describe formation, development and composition of rocks as well as rock properties, among others Lama and Vutukuri (1976), see Publication references .

 Some information on rocks can be found in the following:

(mi is the factor used in the Hoek-Brown criterion for rockmasses)

Take also a look at the rock classification of Prof. Richard Goodman worked out for technical use.

A special feature in the occurrence of rocks is weathering. Various classifications of weathering as well as some definitions and comment are given here.

See also Classification systems under the Classification and Design tag.

Quotation

Important quotations will be presented here from time to time

Karl Terzaghi:
Even a very comprehensive and appropriately conducted geological survey of the site of a proposed tunnel cannot accomplish more than a very crude estimate of the length of the tunnel sections in which each of the principal types of rock conditions will be encountered. Further differentiation cannot be expected. Hence, even if methods for accurately computing the rock load under given rock conditions were available, they would have very little practical value on account of the inevitable uncertainties associated with predicting the rock conditions.